Charges: Woman Swindled $183K From Employer
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Burnsville woman allegedly stole more than $183,000 from her employer over the course of five years, funding her children's athletic fees, paying for her utilities and more, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County.
Laura Michelle Schwartz, 36, appeared in a Dakota County court on Friday as she was charged with 10 felony counts of theft by swindle for allegedly making about 182 fraudulent transactions between 2007 and 2012 that totaled more than $183,000.
Conducting billing and book keeping for a freight shipping company in Eagan, Schwartz was allowed to work from home beginning in 2005, the complaint states.
An audit of company records found suspicious transactions linked to Schwartz's password, and investigators discovered that she sent 100 electronic transfers into her personal bank account, according to the complaint. It also states that she wrote 82 checks to herself.
"This is the 23rd major economic crime exceeding $50,000 in loss prosecuted in Dakota County since 2006," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
Schwartz's next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. on Oct. 2 in Hastings.
